What was the significance of Dred Scott v. Sandford?

The significance of Dred Scott v. Sandford lies in the ruling that enslaved individuals were not recognized as U.S. citizens and therefore did not have the right to sue for their freedom in federal court. This landmark Supreme Court decision effectively denied the legal personhood of African Americans, reinforcing the institution of slavery and contributing to the tensions leading up to the Civil War. The ruling stated that since Scott was enslaved and considered property rather than a person under the law, he could not claim rights that were afforded to citizens, including the ability to bring a lawsuit. This case highlighted the deeply entrenched racial inequalities of the time and had far-reaching implications for the status of African Americans in the United States, shaping future legal and political battles over civil rights.